Former Clipper Says Sterling Called Players 'Bucks'

DALLAS (105.3 THE FAN) -- Former NBA center Olden Polynice had multiple stints with the Los Angeles Clippers since the early 90s.

So Tuesday's news conference, in which league commissioner Adam Silver banned Clippers owner Donald Sterling, came as no surprise to the NBA veteran.

"When I heard it, I was like, 'Man, he finally got caught,'" said Polynice. "My surprise was not from his words, just the fact that he allowed himself to be recorded. It wasn't new, cause we had heard similar stuff in the past that he was racist -- specifically that he didn't like blacks and Mexicans."

Listen to Olden Polynice joins New School

In his appearance on 105.3 The Fan's New School with Shan & RJ on Wednesday, Polynice discussed his personal experiences with Sterling in LA.

Polynice says that Sterling would often bring his friends into the team locker room following games -- primarily to show off his players.

"[Sterling] would just walk by you and feel on your shoulders and on your backs -- touch your leg. 'Look at this buck right here.' And I'm like, did he just call me a buck?"

Polynice says Tuesday's punishment was at least 30 years in the making, but the league was never able to identify a smoking gun.

"I think he's a lost soul, to be honest. He's not like a malicious racist, using the 'N' word all the time. He doesn't do that. He's more confused in my opinion than anything else."

(©2014 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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